U.S. patent application number 12/554639 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-10 for targetable multi-media promotion channel at point of sale.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bank of America. Invention is credited to Joseph A. Giordano, Glenn M. Grossman.
Application Number | 20110060691 12/554639 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43648453 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110060691 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grossman; Glenn M. ; et
al. |
March 10, 2011 |
TARGETABLE MULTI-MEDIA PROMOTION CHANNEL AT POINT OF SALE
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for providing a targetable multi-media
promotion channel at the point of sale are provided. The apparatus
may include a system for providing to a customer an offer at a
point of sale terminal. The system may include machine readable
memory configured to store in an offer platform offer information
corresponding to a first item. The system may also include an
electromagnetic transmitter module configured to transmit the offer
information to the point of sale terminal for presentation by the
point of sale terminal during a transaction for a second item. The
system may also include an electromagnetic receiver module
configured to receive an offer acceptance corresponding to the
offer information before the customer pays for the second item.
Inventors: |
Grossman; Glenn M.;
(Matthews, NC) ; Giordano; Joseph A.; (Waxhaw,
NC) |
Assignee: |
Bank of America
Charlotte
NC
|
Family ID: |
43648453 |
Appl. No.: |
12/554639 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/80 ;
705/14.38 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07G 1/01 20130101; G06Q
30/02 20130101; G06Q 30/0238 20130101; G06Q 20/387 20130101; G06Q
50/188 20130101; G06Q 20/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/80 ;
705/14.38 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. A method for providing to a customer an offer at a point of sale
terminal, the method comprising: storing offer information in
machine readable memory of an offer platform offer information
corresponding to a first item; using an electromagnetic transmitter
module, transmitting the offer information to the point of sale
terminal for presentation by the point of sale terminal during a
transaction for a second item; and using an electromagnetic
receiver module, receiving an offer acceptance corresponding to the
offer information before the customer pays for the second item.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein: the first item is available for
sale by a first entity; the transaction is between the customer and
a second entity; and the first entity is different from the second
entity.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising, using an
electromagnetic transmitter module, transmitting to the first
entity offer acceptance information, the offer acceptance
information confirming acceptance of the offer.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the offer acceptance information
includes information about the transaction.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the information about the
transaction comprises a credit card number or a debit card
number.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising using an
electromagnetic receiver module to receive the offer information
prior to the storing.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the offer information comprises
text data.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the offer information comprise
graphical data.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the graphical data includes a map
showing a location of the first item.
10. A method for providing to a customer an offer at a point of
sale terminal, the method comprising: storing in machine readable
memory a purchase price corresponding to a first item, the first
item having been presented by a customer at the point of sale
terminal; displaying on a point of sale display an offer to
purchase a second item; using the display, receiving an acceptance
of the offer; using a processor module, storing in the machine
readable memory a second purchase price corresponding to the item;
and using the display, displaying a total price that is based on
the first and second purchase prices.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein: the first item is offered by a
first entity; the second item is offered by a second entity; and
the first and second entities are different entities.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising, using an
electromagnetic transmitter module, transmitting, over an
electronic communication network, acceptance information, the
acceptance information acknowledging credit due to the first entity
by the second entity based on sale of the first item to the
customer.
13. A computer usable medium having computer readable program code
embodied therein, said computer readable program code adapted to be
executed to implement method for providing to a customer an offer
at a point of sale terminal, the method comprising: storing offer
information in machine readable memory of an offer platform offer
information corresponding to a first item; transmitting the offer
information to the point of sale terminal for presentation by the
point of sale terminal during a transaction for a second item; and
receiving an offer acceptance corresponding to the offer
information before the customer pays for the second item.
14. The medium of claim 13 wherein, in the method: the first item
is available for sale by a first entity; the transaction is between
the customer and a second entity; and the first entity is different
from the second entity.
15. The medium of claim 14 wherein the method further comprises
transmitting to the first entity offer acceptance information, the
offer acceptance information confirming acceptance of the
offer.
16. The medium of claim 15 wherein, in the method, the offer
acceptance information includes information about the
transaction.
17. The medium of claim 16 wherein, in the method, the information
about the transaction comprises a credit card number or a debit
card number.
18. The medium of claim 13 wherein the method further comprises
receiving the offer information prior to the storing.
19. The medium of claim 13 wherein the offer information comprises
text data.
20. The medium of claim 13 wherein the offer information comprise
graphical data.
21. The medium of claim 20 wherein, in the method, the graphical
data includes a map showing a location of the first item.
22. A computer usable medium having computer readable program code
embodied therein, said computer readable program code adapted to be
executed to implement method for providing to a customer an offer
at a point of sale terminal, the method comprising: storing in
machine readable memory a purchase price corresponding to a first
item, the first item having been presented by a customer at the
point of sale terminal; displaying on a point of sale display an
offer to purchase a second item; receiving an acceptance of the
offer; storing in the machine readable memory a second purchase
price corresponding to the item; and displaying a total price that
is based on the first and second purchase prices.
23. The medium of claim 22 wherein, in the method: the first item
is offered by a first entity; the second item is offered by a
second entity; and the first and second entities are different
entities.
24. The medium of claim 23 wherein the method further comprises
transmitting, over an electronic communication network, acceptance
information, the acceptance information acknowledging credit due to
the first entity by the second entity based on sale of the first
item to the customer.
25. The medium of claim 22 wherein, in the method, the information
about the transaction comprises a credit card number or a debit
card number.
26. A system for providing to a customer an offer at a point of
sale terminal, the system comprising: machine readable memory
configured to store in an offer platform offer information
corresponding to a first item; an electromagnetic transmitter
module configured to transmit the offer information to the point of
sale terminal for presentation by the point of sale terminal during
a transaction for a second item; and an electromagnetic receiver
module configured to receive an offer acceptance corresponding to
the offer information before the customer pays for the second
item.
27. The system of claim 26 wherein: the first item is available for
sale by a first entity; the transaction is between the customer and
a second entity; and the first entity is different from the second
entity.
28. The system of claim 26 wherein the transmitter module is
further configured to transmit to the first entity offer acceptance
information, the offer acceptance information confirming acceptance
of the offer.
29. The system of claim 28 wherein the offer acceptance information
includes information about the transaction.
30. The system of claim 29 wherein the information about the
transaction comprises a credit card number or a debit card
number.
31. The system of claim 26 further comprising using an
electromagnetic receiver module to receive the offer information
prior to the storing.
32. The system of claim 26 wherein the offer information comprises
text data.
33. The system of claim 26 wherein the offer information comprise
graphical data.
34. The system of claim 33 wherein the graphical data includes a
map showing a location of the first item.
Description
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0001] Aspects of the disclosure relate to distribution and
redemption of electronic offers. In particular, the disclosure
relates to the acceptance of electronic offers at, or in
association with, a point of sale device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In a typical credit card transaction, a customer (the
"customer") purchases from a merchant or service provider ("the
merchant") goods, items or services ("the goods") using credit. The
credit is extended to the customer by an issuing bank (the
"issuer"). The merchant presents a debit to an acquiring bank (the
"acquirer"). The acquirer pays the merchant for (and thus
"acquires") the goods. A transaction processing network in
communication with the issuer and the acquirer settles the
transaction between the issuer and the acquirer. The transaction
processing network may collect transaction processing network fees
from the issuer and the acquirer in connection with the
settlement.
[0003] The issuer may impose upon the acquirer a fee for
participating in the transaction. The fee may be referred to as
"interchange." Interchange may be a fixed fee for the transaction
or a percentage of the transaction. Interchange flows from the
acquirer, through the transaction processing network, to the
issuer. The issuer typically uses interchange to cover costs of
acquiring credit card customers, servicing credit card accounts,
providing incentives to retain customers, mitigating fraud,
covering customer credit risk, group comp and other expenses.
[0004] The acquirer may deduct a "transaction fee" from the amount
that the acquirer pays the merchant in exchange for the goods. The
transaction fee may cover the acquirer's transaction processing
network fee, interchange, and other expenses. The acquirer may
obtain a profit from the transaction fee.
[0005] FIG. 1 shows typical credit card transaction settlement flow
100. Flow 100 involves transaction participants such as a merchant,
a customer, and transaction service providers that are identified
below. At step 1, the merchant provides transaction information
related to a proposed transaction between the merchant and a
customer to a transaction authorization and clearance agent. The
transaction authorization and clearance provider may provide
transaction authorization and clearance information to the
merchant. The transaction authorization and clearance information
may include authorization for the transaction to proceed. At step
2, the merchant provides $100 in goods to a customer. The customer
pays with a credit card. At step 3, the issuer transmits to the
customer a statement showing the purchase price ($100.00) due. The
issuer collects the purchase price amount, along with interest and
fees if appropriate, from the customer. At step 4, the issuer
routes the purchase price amount ($100.00) through the transaction
processing network to the acquirer. At step 5, the acquirer
partially reimburses the merchant for the purchase price amount. In
the example shown in FIG. 1, the partial reimbursement is $98.00.
The difference between the reimbursement amount ($98.00) and the
purchase price amount ($100.00) is a two dollar ($2.00) transaction
fee.
[0006] At step 6, the acquirer pays an interchange amount ($1.50),
via the transaction processing network, to the issuer. At step 7,
both the acquirer and the issuer pay a transaction processing
network fee ($0.07 for acquirer and $0.05 for the issuer) to the
transaction processing network.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Net positions, by participant, based on
settlement flow 100 (shown in FIG. 1). Participant Net ($) Issuer
1.45 Acquirer 0.43 Transaction processing network 0.12 Merchant
-2.00
[0007] In settlement 100 (shown in FIG. 1), the transaction fee is
based on a merchant discount rate of 2%. The $1.50 interchange is
based on an interchange rate of 1.5%. The sum of the transaction
processing network fees ($0.07 and $0.05) is based on a total
transaction processing network fee rate of 12%.
[0008] Transaction processing networks and transaction processing
network services offered under the trademarks VISA, MASTERCARD,
NYCE and PULSE are known. Transaction processing networks typically
set interchange rates. Interchange rates often depend for each
transaction processing network on merchant type and size,
transaction processing method and other factors. Some transaction
processing networks set rules that prohibit merchants from charging
an incremental fee for credit card payments, establishing minimum
or maximum purchase price amounts or refusing to accept selected
cards.
[0009] The transaction fee increases the merchant's operating
expenses and may cause the prices of the merchant's goods to
increase.
[0010] A customer may present to the merchant one or more discount
offers from the merchant or a third party. The customer usually
presents the discount offer at the point of sale. By honoring the
discount offer, the merchant may reduce the price of goods for the
customer.
[0011] One type of discount offer is a coupon. A coupon may
function like cash and be applied toward payment for goods.
[0012] For manufacturers and retailers, coupons are a tool for
product marketing. Capitalizing on customers' desire for savings,
coupons provide incentives to choose a particular product over a
competitor's product.
[0013] One deterrent to conventional coupon use is the requirement
that coupons be physically carried and presented at a point of
sale. Even web-based coupons delivered electronically must be
presented at a point of sale.
[0014] Conventional coupons also are not easily targeted toward the
customers most likely to be interested in the featured product.
Individual customer purchasing history is not always accessible to
manufacturers, retailers or coupon publishers.
[0015] It would be desirable, therefore, to provide apparatus and
methods for applying electronic coupons at a point of sale. It
would further be desirable for the electronic coupons to be linked
to a purchasing instrument, such as a credit card, a debit card, a
check and bank card, a stored-value card, a bar-coded article, an
instrument or device that includes a contactless chip, such as an
ISO14443-compliant contactless chip, a cell phone, a personal data
assistant or any other suitable electronic, encoded or
information-bearing purchasing device.
SUMMARY
[0016] A method for providing to a customer an offer at a point of
sale terminal is provided. The method may include storing offer
information in machine readable memory of an offer platform. The
offer information may corresponding to a first item. The method may
further include using an electromagnetic transmitter module to
transmit the offer information to the point of sale terminal for
presentation by the point of sale terminal during a transaction for
a second item. The method may also include using an electromagnetic
receiver module to receive an offer acceptance corresponding to the
offer information before the customer pays for the second item.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent
upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a prior art process;
[0019] FIG. 2 shows an arrangement in which apparatus and methods
in accordance with the principles of the invention may be used;
[0020] FIG. 3 shows apparatus in accordance with the principles of
the invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 shows other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 shows yet other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 6 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a process in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a high level flow diagram of another process in
accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram that corresponds to a portion of
the process shown in FIG. 9;
[0028] FIG. 11 is another flow diagram that corresponds to a
portion of the process shown in FIG. 9; and
[0029] FIG. 12 is another flow diagram that corresponds to a
portion of the process shown in FIG. 9.
[0030] FIG. 13 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 14 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 15 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 16 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 17 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 18 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0036] FIG. 19 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0037] FIG. 20 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 21 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0039] FIG. 22 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0040] FIG. 23 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0041] FIG. 24 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
[0042] FIG. 25 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention; and
[0043] FIG. 26 shows still other apparatus in accordance with the
principles of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0044] Apparatus and methods for distributing and providing a
customer benefit are provided. The customer benefit may include a
voucher, a certificate, an award, an incentive, a discount, a
coupon, an electronic coupon, a value or any other benefit. The
customer benefit may be provided to a customer in connection with
the purchase of goods from a merchant.
[0045] In some embodiments, an offer agent may gather offers of
customer benefits from one or more offer sources. The agent may
provide offer accounts on an offer platform. The accounts may be
linked to the customer, the customer's purchasing instrument or
instruments, an offer source and any other suitable entity or
device.
[0046] The offer agent may provide customer benefit information to
the customer. The customer benefit information may notify the
customer about the benefit. For example, the customer benefit
information may include information about goods for which a
customer benefit may be redeemed. The offer agent may provide the
customer benefit itself at a point of sale terminal in connection
with the customer's purchase of goods to which the customer benefit
applies.
[0047] In some embodiments, the offer platform may be used for
compilation, publication, storage, application and/or settlement of
customer benefit offers. Use of the purchasing instrument to
execute a transaction may trigger the application of customer
benefits stored on the platform.
[0048] The apparatus and methods may enroll a purchasing instrument
in a customer benefit program. The purchasing instrument may be a
credit card, a debit card, a check and bank card, a stored-value
card, a bar-coded article, an instrument or device that includes a
contactless chip, such as an ISO14443-compliant contactless chip, a
cell phone, an RFID-based device, a personal data assistant or any
other suitable electronic, encoded or information-bearing
purchasing device.
[0049] Purchasing instruments may store data in a magnetic strip, a
bar code, a silicon chip or any other suitable data storage device
or format. A merchant may provide a point of sale terminal that is
configured to receive data from, provide data to, or exchange data
with the purchasing instrument.
[0050] Enrollment of the purchasing instrument may be carried out
electronically via a web-based portal, via a kiosk at a
participating retailer, or by any other appropriate device or
medium. A customer may enroll one or more purchasing instruments.
Each of the purchasing instruments may be tied to a financial
account at an issuing financial institution, such as issuer I
(shown in FIG. 2). A customer may enroll purchasing instruments
that are issued by different financial institutions.
[0051] In some embodiments, purchasing instrument enrollment may be
carried out via a web-based portal. The web portal may be
associated with the issuer of a purchasing instrument. The customer
may enter account information for the purchasing instrument account
which may be then be electronically verified. The customer may
select one or more communication methods for the receipt of coupon
offers.
[0052] In some embodiments, purchasing instrument enrollment may be
carried out via a kiosk at a participating retailer. For example,
the customer may swipe a payment card magnetic strip or enter
another form of identification so that the account may be verified
electronically. The customer may select one or more communication
options for the receipt of coupon offers.
[0053] In some embodiments, a purchasing instrument may be enrolled
using a pin pad in a check-out lane. The pin pad may be peripheral
to or part of a POS terminal. (The use herein of "POS terminal" may
include a pin pad or other customer-interactive device.) For
example, an offer agent may recognize after a card swipe that the
card is not enrolled. A display at the pin pad may invite the
customer to enroll. The customer may enroll by pushing appropriate
buttons on the pin pad. The POS terminal may print out terms of the
customer benefit offer program. The terms may be printed on a sales
receipt. The terms may be printed on a separate document.
[0054] After enrollment, the customer may be eligible to receive
customer benefit offers. The apparatus and methods may compile
customer benefit for transmission to the customer.
[0055] The customer benefit offers may be electronic versions of
circulated manufacturer or retailer paper coupons, such as the
coupons printed in a newspaper or in a retailer circular. Coupons
may be solicited directly from manufacturers, retailers, or any
other appropriate party by the offer agent.
[0056] In some embodiments, customer benefit offers may be filtered
based on customer data. The customer data may be drawn from
purchasing instrument account information, past purchasing
instrument use, previously selected customer benefit offers, past
redeemed customer benefit offers or any other appropriate data
source. Examples of customer data may include information regarding
geographic region, categories of product purchases, specific
product purchases, shopping history with identified merchants, and
any other relevant data.
[0057] Predictive analytics or any other appropriate technique may
be a used to analyze the customer data and apply it to the customer
benefit offers. A set of customer benefit offers may be narrowed,
as customer benefit offers that are compatible with the customer
data are chosen and incompatible customer benefit offers are not
chosen. For example, the address on a debit card account may be
used to direct customer benefit offers from local retailers to a
customer.
[0058] The filtered customer benefit offers may be stored and
transmitted to a customer via communication methods that the
customer may select, for example, upon enrollment in an offer
program. The customer may modify the communication methods selected
or select additional methods of communication. The customer benefit
offers may be transmitted to the customer weekly, monthly or on any
other appropriate schedule. In addition to, or in place of, the
scheduled transmission, individual offers or groups of offers may
be transmitted as a special promotion.
[0059] In some embodiments, the communication method may involve an
email message. Customer benefit offers may sent via email and the
desired coupon offers may be selected. Reminders regarding
available offers may also be sent in email messages.
[0060] In some embodiments, the communication method may involve
transmission to a mobile device. For example, a text message to a
mobile phone may be used to deliver customer benefit offer
information. Reminders about available offers or offers previously
selected may also be sent to a mobile device. For example, entering
a participating retail location may trigger a message regarding
customer benefit offers available for use.
[0061] In some embodiments, customer benefit offers may be
available via a web-based portal. The website may be associated
with a purchasing instrument provider. Reminders may be sent via
another communication method, such as an email or text message,
regarding the availability of customer benefit offers for
selection, and/or the availability of selected customer benefit
offers for use.
[0062] In some embodiments, the offer platform may communicate
customer benefit offer information to a customer upon receiving an
indication that the customer has presented an enrolled purchasing
instrument at a POS terminal. In some embodiments, the offer
platform may communicate the customer benefit offer information to
the customer upon receiving an indication that the customer has
presented for purchase goods for which a customer benefit offer is
present in an offer platform account to which the customer and/or
the customer's purchasing instrument is linked. In some
embodiments, transmission of the customer benefit offer information
may be via the POS terminal at which the customer presented the
purchasing instrument or the goods.
[0063] For example, when a customer presents for purchase a
particular item at merchant M and the item is logged for purchase
(scanned, e.g.) by the POS terminal, the offer platform may
identify and transmit to the customer customer benefit information
regarding a customer benefit that is available for the item when
purchased at merchant M.
[0064] In some embodiments, the customer benefit offers may be
available via a kiosk at a participating retailer. The customer may
select any desired offers, print a record of them at the kiosk and
immediately proceed to shop for the featured items.
[0065] In some embodiments, the communication method may be
associated with regular communication related to a bank account
underlying the purchasing instrument. For example, the list of
available customer benefit offers may be appended to a monthly
financial statement, whether an electronic statement or a paper
copy. In another example, a reminder may appear on a printed
receipt from an ATM transaction.
[0066] In some embodiments, after receiving the customer benefit
offer information, the customer may select one or more customer
benefit offers. The selected customer benefit offers may be stored
for later redemption and viewed at any time via a web-based portal,
a kiosk or using any other appropriate method. For example, the
selected customer benefit offers may be stored on the offer
platform and applied at checkout when payment is made with the
enrolled purchasing instrument.
[0067] In some embodiments, the customer benefit offers may be
discounts that are associated with use of a purchasing loyalty
card. The purchasing loyalty card may be issued by a merchant, a
manufacturer, a service provider or any other suitable vendor or
provider of goods. Conventionally, presenting a loyalty card at a
point of sale triggers merchant-specific discounts on various
products. Loyalty card discounts from participating merchants may
be stored on the platform and linked to the enrolled payment
account, in some embodiments, even without communication to (or
selection by) the customer. Payment with the enrolled purchasing
instrument may trigger the application of loyalty card discounts,
in some embodiments, even without presentation of the loyalty card
at the point of sale. Linking loyalty card discounts to the
purchasing instrument may allow a single payment instrument to
replace one or more loyalty cards from different participating
merchants.
[0068] At a point of sale, goods may be scanned for checkout. Any
paper coupons may be applied, any merchant loyalty card may be
processed, and these discounts may be deducted from product prices.
At this point, the customer may pay with the enrolled purchasing
instrument. The purchasing instrument information and product
identifiers such as stock-keeping unit numbers ("SKUs") may be
transmitted to the platform. The stored coupons may be compared to
the product SKUs. Stored coupons corresponding to purchased goods
may be applied. The coupon data may be transmitted from the
platform to a merchant at the point of sale. Prices may be adjusted
as the coupon discounts are applied. In some embodiments, the
discounts stemming from the coupons may be itemized separately on
the customer receipt.
[0069] After application in connection with a transaction, redeemed
customer benefit offers may be processed for electronic settlement.
Data associated with the redeemed customer benefit offers may be
transmitted to a clearinghouse for processing. Payment may be made
electronically to reimburse the merchant. Payment may also be made
to another party such as a manufacturer, retailer or coupon
provider, as part of a negotiated relationship with the publisher
of the customer benefit offers.
[0070] Data regarding the customer benefit offer redemption may be
stored on the platform for analysis. The sales data may be used to
direct appropriate customer benefit offers to the customer going
forward.
[0071] Illustrative embodiments of the invention will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 1-26.
[0072] In the following description of the various embodiments,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part
hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various
embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural
and functional modifications may be made without departing from the
scope and spirit of the present invention.
[0073] As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon
reading the following disclosure, various aspects described herein
may be embodied as a method, a data processing system, or a
computer program product. Accordingly, those aspects may take the
form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software
embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware
aspects.
[0074] Furthermore, such aspects may take the form of a computer
program product stored by one or more computer-readable storage
media having computer-readable program code, or instructions,
embodied in or on the storage media. Any suitable computer readable
storage media may be utilized, including hard disks, CD-ROMs,
optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, and/or any
combination thereof. In addition, various signals representing data
or events as described herein may be transferred between a source
and a destination in the form of electromagnetic waves traveling
through signal-conducting media such as metal wires, optical
fibers, and/or wireless transmission media (e.g., air and/or
space).
[0075] FIG. 2 shows illustrative arrangement 200 for executing a
transaction between customer C and merchant M. Arrangement 200 may
include offer agent 201. Offer agent 201 may control offer
processor 202 and offer platform 203. Offer processor 202, in
conjunction with offer platform 203, may provide customer C with a
discount offer. Offer Customer C may present the discount offer to
merchant M to offset the purchase price of goods. Merchant M may
provide the goods to customer C based on acquisition of the goods
by acquirer ACQ, a credit relationship between customer C and
issuer I, and a settlement relationship between issuer I and
acquirer ACQ. (The settlement relationship may be based on a
transaction processing network, as shown in FIG. 2, or any other
suitable settlement relationship.)
[0076] Merchant M may provide a voucher to offer processor 202.
Offer processor 202 may effect reimbursement of merchant M in the
amount of the discount offer. FIG. 2 illustrates the discount offer
as $1.00. Offers sources 204 may provide discount offers to offer
agent 201. Offer agent 201 may provide the discount offers to
customer C. Customer C may select the discount offers that customer
C desires. The desired discount offers may be stored in an account
on offer platform 203 for later use by customer C. In some
embodiments, the discount offers may be pushed into the account
without customer C's selection. In such embodiments, customer C may
redeem at a POS terminal (e.g., of merchant M) some or all of the
coupons in customer C's account that are valid for goods that
merchant M processes (e.g., at "register check-out") for purchase
by customer C.
[0077] Offer sources may include one or more of a loyalty program,
an advertiser, a consumer packaged goods manufacturer, a retailer,
a bank, a restaurant or any other suitable entity. FIG. 2 shows
that an offer source may provide a monetary reimbursement to the
offer platform (e.g., $1.00, as illustrated). The offer source may
also pay a fee to the offer platform (e.g., $0.005, as
illustrated). The reimbursement funds and fees may be routed in any
suitable manner, and in any suitable proportions, to any of the
participants in the transaction.
[0078] FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates a generic
computing device 301 (alternatively referred to herein as a
"server") that may be used according to an illustrative embodiment
of the invention. The computer server 301 may have a processor 303
for controlling overall operation of the server and its associated
components, including RAM 305, ROM 307, input/output module 309,
and memory 315.
[0079] Input/output ("I/O") module 309 may include a microphone,
keypad, touch screen, and/or stylus through which a user of device
301 may provide input, and may also include one or more of a
speaker for providing audio output and a video display device for
providing textual, audiovisual and/or graphical output. Software
may be stored within memory 315 and/or storage to provide
instructions to processor 303 for enabling server 301 to perform
various functions. For example, memory 315 may store software used
by server 301, such as an operating system 317, application
programs 319, and an associated database 321. Alternatively, some
or all of server 301 computer executable instructions may be
embodied in hardware or firmware (not shown). As described in
detail below, database 321 may provide storage for enrolled
purchasing instrument information, available customer benefit offer
information, customer selections of customer benefit offers,
redeemed customer benefit offers data and any other suitable
information.
[0080] Server 301 may operate in a networked environment supporting
connections to one or more remote computers, such as terminals 341
and 351. Terminals 341 and 351 may be personal computers or servers
that include many or all of the elements described above relative
to server 301. The network connections depicted in FIG. 3 include a
local area network (LAN) 325 and a wide area network (WAN) 329, but
may also include other networks. When used in a LAN networking
environment, computer 301 is connected to LAN 325 through a network
interface or adapter 323. When used in a WAN networking
environment, server 301 may include a modem 327 or other means for
establishing communications over WAN 329, such as Internet 331. It
will be appreciated that the network connections shown are
illustrative and other means of establishing a communications link
between the computers may be used. The existence of any of various
well-known protocols such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, FTP, HTTP and the
like is presumed, and the system can be operated in a client-server
configuration to permit a user to retrieve web pages from a
web-based server. Any of various conventional web browsers can be
used to display and manipulate data on web pages.
[0081] Additionally, application program 319, which may be used by
server 301, may include computer executable instructions for
invoking user functionality related to communication, such as
email, short message service (SMS), and voice input and speech
recognition applications.
[0082] Computing device 301 and/or terminals 341 or 351 may also be
mobile terminals including various other components, such as a
battery, speaker, and antennas (not shown).
[0083] Terminal 351 and/or terminal 341 may be portable devices
such as a laptop, cell phone, blackberry, or any other suitable
device for storing, transmitting and/or transporting relevant
information.
[0084] Data related to coupon offers, data related to purchasing
instrument use and any other suitable information may be stored in
memory 315.
[0085] The invention may be operational with numerous other general
purpose or special purpose computing system environments or
configurations. Examples of well known computing systems,
environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use
with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal
computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, mobile
phones and/or other personal digital assistants ("PDAs"),
multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top
boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,
minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing
environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and
the like.
[0086] The invention may be described in the general context of
computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being
executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include
routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc.,
that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data
types. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing
environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices
that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed
computing environment, program modules may be located in both local
and remote computer storage media including memory storage
devices.
[0087] FIG. 4 shows illustrative system 400 for processing and
communicating transaction information. The transaction information
may include customer information, merchant information, purchasing
instrument information, financial information, customer benefit
information, inventory information and any other suitable
information.
[0088] System 400 may include merchant component 402, network
component 404 and issuer component 406. In general, a system such
as 400 may include many merchant components such as 402 and many
issuer components such as 406. System 400 may include offer
processor 422 and offer platform 424. Offer processor 422 may
correspond to offer processor 202 (shown in FIG. 2). Offer platform
424 may correspond to one or more of offer sources 204 (shown in
FIG. 2). In some embodiments, offer platform 424 may include offer
processor 422.
[0089] A customer may purchase goods by transferring customer
information from a purchasing instrument, such as a credit card, to
POS terminal 408. POS terminal 408 may read the customer
information from the purchasing instrument. The customer
information may include purchasing instrument identification
information (e.g., a credit card number, a device identifier or
other suitable identifier), issuer information, account information
and any other suitable information. In some embodiments, sensitive
information, such as purchasing instrument identification
information, may be hashed using any suitable hash function prior
to storage and/or transmission to other devices.
[0090] POS terminal 408 may transmit transaction information to POS
controller 410. The transaction information may include some or all
of the customer information and any other suitable information,
such as the transaction amount and information regarding the
purchased goods (such as SKU information).
[0091] In some embodiments, the transaction information may include
offer information. The offer information may include information by
which the customer may obtain a discount on the price of the goods.
For example, the offer information may include a purchasing
instrument identifier, a customer benefit offer identifier,
information regarding the purchased goods and the like).
[0092] POS controller 410 may act as a server for providing user
prompts and displaying layout information to one or more POS
terminals such as POS terminal 408. POS controller 410 may receive
transaction information from one or more of the POS terminals.
[0093] POS controller 410 may transmit the transaction information
to host data capture system 412. Host data capture system 412 may
store transaction information from POS controller 410. Host data
capture system 412 may store accounting data, inventory data and
other suitable data that may be included in the transaction
information.
[0094] Host data capture system 412 may route merchant information
to processor 414. Processor 414 may include a credit card network
"processor," which is known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
The illustrative systems shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may include one or
more other processors that perform tasks that are appropriate for
the components thereof.
[0095] The merchant information may include some or all of the
transaction information. The merchant information may include
information about the merchant, the merchant's business, the
merchant's network membership, the merchant's business behavior and
any other suitable information. Processor 414 may route some or all
of the merchant information, via network 416, to database 418. The
routing may be governed by transaction information. For example,
the routing may be governed by a bank issuer number ("BIN") that is
encoded in the customer's credit card. Authorization engine 420 may
render a transaction authorization decision based on the merchant
information.
[0096] Authorization engine 420 may transmit authorization
information back to POS terminal 408 through network 416, processor
414, host data capture system 412 and POS controller 410. The
authorization information may include the authorization decision
(e.g., "GRANTED" or "DENIED"). The authorization information may
include some or all of the merchant information. The merchant
information may be used by processor 414 to route the authorization
information back to the merchant and the POS terminal where the
customer is present.
[0097] Transaction information may include some or all of the
information that is necessary to identify the transaction fee for
the transaction. The transaction fee may depend on one or more
transaction fee factors, such as interchange rate, network rates,
merchant type, merchant size, transaction processing method, and
any other suitable factors. Transaction information may include one
or more of the foregoing factors and any other suitable
factors.
[0098] The transaction information may be stored in any suitable
element of merchant component 402, network component 404 and issuer
component 406. For example, transaction information may be stored
in processor 414. Processor 414 may include algorithms that may be
used in conjunction with the transaction information to identify
the transaction fee corresponding to the customer transaction
taking place at POS terminal 408. After the transaction fee is
identified, processor 414 may transmit the transaction fee, via
merchant components 402, to POS terminal 408. POS terminal 408 may
display the transaction fee for viewing by the customer.
[0099] POS terminal may have one or more interactive features that
the customer may use. The features may provide the customer with
information that may help the customer decide whether to execute
the transaction. The customer may use the features to obtain more
information about the merchant, the transaction, the transaction
fee, transaction fees associated with different purchasing
instruments (e.g., credit cards, debit cards, instruments or
devices that include a contact chip, such as an ISO14443-compliant
contactless chip, or other electronic purchasing devices) or other
suitable information.
[0100] Purchasing instruments may store data in a magnetic strip, a
bar code, a silicon chip or any other suitable data storage device
or format.
[0101] When offer information is present in the transaction
information, host data capture system 412 may determine, prior to
routing the transaction information to processor 414, whether the
customer's purchasing instrument and/or associated customer benefit
offers qualifies for redemption of one or more offers that are
included in the offer information.
[0102] In some embodiments, host data capture system 412 may
transmit customer benefit offer information to offer processor 422.
The customer benefit offer information may identify an offer for a
customer benefit in connection with an item that the customer has
presented at checkout for payment. In some of these embodiments,
offer processor 422 may determine whether the customer has
acknowledged receipt of the customer benefit offer. The
acknowledgment may be logged by offer platform 424. If the
acknowledgment was logged, offer processor 422 may transmit to host
data capture system 412 a validation message indicating that the
customer is entitled to the customer benefit. If the acknowledgment
was not logged, offer processor 422 may transmit to host data
capture system 412 a message indicating that the customer is not
entitled to the customer benefit. In such embodiments, a customer
may be denied the benefit if the customer has not acknowledged
receipt of the customer benefit offer.
[0103] In some embodiments, acknowledgment may not be required.
[0104] In some embodiments, POS terminal 408 may be provided with
logic configured to detect a situation in which the customer first
presents a purchasing instrument that is qualified for offer
redemption and then executes payment of the transaction with a
different purchasing instrument that is not qualified for the
redemption.
[0105] If the purchasing instrument is qualified for the
redemption, host data capture system 412 may transmit some or all
of the offer information to offer processor 422. Offer processor
422 may decrypt (using an inverse hash function, e.g.) hashed
information, such as the purchasing instrument identifier. Offer
processor 422 may use the decrypted information to associate the
purchasing instrument with an offer platform such as 424. Offer
processor may transmit the offer information to offer engine 426 in
offer platform 424. Offer engine 426 may query database 428 for
customer benefit information. The customer benefit information may
include one or more discounts, incentives, vouchers or further
offers. For example, the customer benefit information may include a
discount amount for purchase of product X, a coupon for savings on
a future purchase of product Y, a voucher for a product offered by
merchant M or a partner or affiliate of merchant M or further
offers or coupons for future transaction with merchant M.
[0106] Offer engine 426 may route the customer benefit information
back to POS terminal 408. POS terminal 408 may deduct discount
amounts from the purchase price of the goods and recalculate any
amounts payable. POS terminal 408 may then transmit transaction
information to POS controller 410 and initiate transaction
information processing as discussed above in connection with
merchant component 402, network component 404 and issuer component
406.
[0107] FIG. 5 shows illustrative system 500 for processing and
communicating transaction information. System 500 may include
merchant component 502, network component 504 and issuer component
506. In general, a system such as 500 may include many merchant
components such as 502 and many issuer components such as 506.
System 500 may have one or more of the features that are described
herein in connection with system 400. For example, system 500 may
include offer processor 522 and offer platform 524. Offer platform
524 may include offer engine 526 and database 528. Offer processor
522, offer platform 524, offer engine 526 and database 528 may have
one or more of the features that are described herein in connection
with offer processor 422, offer platform 424, offer engine 426 and
database 428 (all shown in FIG. 4), respectively.
[0108] In system 500, processor 514 may be present in merchant
component 502. Corresponding processor 414 is present in network
component 404 (shown in FIG. 4). Systems such as 400 are designed
for merchants that require high throughput of merchant information
and transaction information. Systems such as 500 are designed for
merchants that do not require high throughput of merchant
information and transaction information.
[0109] FIG. 6 shows illustrative architecture 600 for transmission
of offer notifications from an offer platform such as 602 to a
customer such as customer n and for transmission of customer
information from customer n to a POS terminal such as 604.
[0110] In architecture 600, customer n may receive offer
notifications from offer platform 602 via mobile wallet 606, which
may be in communication with the operating system of a cellular
telephone. The notifications may include information regarding
discounted products, offering merchants, locations, discount
amounts, offer terms (including, for example, a period of validity,
identities of participating merchants and the like) and other
suitable information. Offer platform 602 may select the offers for
which to send the notifications based on an account established for
customer n on offer platform 602. Customer n may use the offer
notifications in connection with purchasing decisions.
[0111] When customer n purchases one or more items from a merchant,
customer n may present purchasing instrument 608, such as a credit
card, to the merchant. The credit card may include offer
information, such as an identification number. The identification
number may be a credit card number. POS terminal 604 may transmit
the number to offer platform 602. Offer platform 602 may return to
POS terminal 604 customer benefit information that corresponds to
customer n's account. POS terminal 604 may identify in the customer
benefit information benefits that correspond to goods that customer
n has presented for purchase at POS terminal 604. POS terminal may
apply the benefits to the transaction with customer n.
[0112] FIG. 7 shows illustrative architecture 700 for transmission
of offer notifications from an offer platform such as 702 to a
customer such as customer m and for transmission of customer
information from customer m to a POS terminal such as 704. POS
terminal 704 may be an internet protocol based POS terminal.
[0113] In architecture 700, offer platform 702 may transmit to
customer m offer notifications and customer benefit information.
The offer notifications may be transmitted using a protocol that
requires validation of customer m's identity. Customer m's identity
may be encoded in mobile wallet 706, which may be present in
purchasing instrument 712. For example, mobile wallet 706 may be in
a cellular telephone and may be in communication with the operating
system of the cellular telephone. Mobile wallet 706 may include
secure identification information that associates customer m with
customer m's personal and credit information.
[0114] The notifications may include information regarding
discounted products, offering merchants, locations, discount
amounts and other suitable information. Offer platform 702 may
select the offers for which to send the notifications based on an
account established for customer m on offer platform 702. Customer
m may view the notifications on a display (not shown) on purchasing
instrument 712. Customer m may use the offer notifications in
connection with purchasing decisions.
[0115] When customer m purchases one or more items from a merchant,
customer m may present purchasing instrument 712 to the merchant.
Purchasing instrument 712 may include transaction module 708.
Transaction module 708 may include instructions and protocols for
exchanging customer, offer, customer benefit, transaction and any
other suitable information with POS terminal 704. Purchasing
instrument 712 may include near field communication ("NFC") module
710 for wireless communication of the customer, offer, customer
benefit, transaction and other suitable information with POS
terminal 704.
[0116] POS terminal 704 may use some or all of the customer, offer,
customer benefit, transaction and other suitable information to
recalculate prices that customer m will pay for goods being
purchased.
[0117] POS terminal 704 may communicate with offer terminal 702 via
electronic communication network 716. Electronic communication
network 716 may be the Internet. POS terminal 704 may communicate
with offer platform 702 to validate the validity of information
such as offer information, customer benefit information and other
suitable information. POS terminal 704 may communicate with offer
platform 702 to verify that customer m is entitled to present an
offer. POS terminal 704 may communicate with offer platform 702 to
verify the identity of the entity that is to pay for the value of
the offer (e.g., a product manufacturer). POS terminal 704 may
communicate with offer platform 702 to notify the paying entity
about the transaction.
[0118] FIG. 8 shows illustrative process 800 for enrollment of a
purchasing instrument and establishment of communication methods.
In illustrative process 800, the purchasing instrument is a debit
card and the customer benefit offer is an electronic coupon. The
vertical paths in the flow diagram show primary processes and the
horizontal paths show related sub-processes.
[0119] Process 800 shows two parallel methods for debit card
enrollment. At steps 801 through 805, the debit card is enrolled
via a web-based portal associated with the debit card provider. At
steps 806 through 809, the debit card is enrolled via a kiosk.
[0120] At step 801, a customer accesses the enrollment website. At
step 802, the customer enters account information. At step 803, the
account information is verified. At step 804, the customer selects
a communication method. More than one communication method may be
selected. At step 805, the communication method preferences are
stored.
[0121] In some embodiments, the communication method may support
bidirectional communication between an offer platform such as offer
platform 424 (shown in FIG. 4) and a customer such as customer C
(shown in FIG. 2). The offer platform may transmit, via the
selected communication method, customer benefit offer information
to the customer. The customer benefit offer information may include
information about benefits that are available to the customer. The
customer may acknowledge receipt of the customer benefit
information. Appropriate apparatus (such as a personal computer, a
cell phone, a PDA, a kiosk, an ATM or any other suitable apparatus)
may transmit customer benefit offer acknowledgment information to
the offer platform. The offer platform may log receipt of the
customer benefit offer acknowledgment. In some embodiments, the
receipt may be used as a requirement for authorizing application of
the customer benefit at a POS terminal.
[0122] In an alternative enrollment process, at step 806, a
customer accesses a kiosk at a participating retailer. At step 807,
the customer enters account information by swiping the magnetic
stripe of the debit card in a card reader. At step 808, the
customer selects a communication method. At step 809, the
communication method preferences are stored.
[0123] A more detailed illustration of the communication methods
from steps 804 and 808 is detailed at steps 810 through 813.
[0124] In illustrative process 800, a list of coupon offers is
transmitted to the customer on a weekly basis. At step 810, the
weekly list of coupon offers is compiled. At step 811, the list of
coupon offers is transmitted to the customer. Process 800 includes
three illustrative methods of transmission: making the list
available on a website, sending the list in an email message, or
sending a text message to a mobile device. At step 812, the
customer acknowledges the offers and may select coupons for
application. The selected coupons are stored. At step 813, the
coupons are available for application at a point of sale. The
coupon discounts will be applied when the enrolled debit card is
used for a purchase at a point of sale.
[0125] FIG. 9 shows high level process 900 illustrating the
entities involved in customer benefit offer publication, selection
and redemption. The primary entities identified in process 900 may
be companies, individuals or technological processes. In process
900, the customer benefit offer is an electronic coupon offer.
[0126] Entity 901 is an advertiser. Entity 902 is an integrated
electronic platform. Coupon offers from various advertisers may be
compiled on the integrated electronic platform. Sources for coupon
offers include manufacturers, retailers and commercial coupon
sources. Predictive analytics may be applied filter the offers
based on customer history. Entity 903 is a publisher of coupon
offers. The publisher may be a payment card provider in a coupon
offer program designed for its payment card users. In illustrative
process 900, the publisher is a bank publishing coupons for account
holders enrolling a bank issued debit or credit card. Entity 904 is
a customer with a debit or credit card. The customer may enroll the
card and choose a communication method to receive the published
coupons. Entity 905 is a retailer. The customer may use the
enrolled payment card at a participating retailer to trigger
application of coupons. Entity 906 is a retail processor. Coupons
may be processed for redemption and settlement by the retailer or
may be electronically transmitted directly to the platform for
redemption and settlement. Feedback regarding coupon redemption may
be transmitted back to the advertiser 901.
[0127] FIG. 10 shows illustrative process 1000 outlining the
process of distributing and applying customer benefit offers.
Process 1000 may correspond in whole or in part to a portion of the
process shown in FIG. 9. In process 1000, the customer benefit
offer is a coupon offer.
[0128] Step 1001 shows three illustrative sources for coupon
offers. At step 1002, the coupon offers are filtered based on
stored customer data and are stored on an offer platform. At step
1003, the coupon offers are distributed to the customer. Process
1000 shows four illustrative communication methods. At step 1004,
the coupons are applied at a point of sale. At step 1005, the
redeemed coupons are processed for settlement.
[0129] Kiosk 1006 may be in or near merchant m's facility, in any
location that is convenient for customer C or in any other suitable
location. Customer C may use a purchasing instrument to communicate
with kiosk 1006. For example, customer C may enroll in an offer
program by providing customer identification information to kiosk
1006. An offer processor such as 202 may provide customer C with
offer information via kiosk 1006.
[0130] FIG. 11 shows illustrative process 1100 outlining a purchase
at a point of sale where customer benefits are applied. In process
1100, the purchasing instrument is a debit card and the customer
benefit is an electronic coupon. Process 1100 may correspond in
whole or in part to a portion of the process illustrated in FIG.
9.
[0131] At step 1101, the customer visits a participating retailer.
At step 1102 the customer selects products for purchase. At step
1103, the products are checked out. Paper coupons and any store
loyalty card may be processed and any discounts applied. At step
1104, the customer may swipe a debit card for payment. At step
1105, the encrypted debit card information and the product SKUs are
transmitted to the integrated electronic platform storing
pre-selected coupons.
[0132] At step 1106, the card information and the product SKUs are
verified. In a sub-process, coupons are discharged and ready for
settlement. At step 1107, coupon offers for the products purchased
are disabled. At step 1108, the disabled offers are ready for
settlement.
[0133] The primary process continues at step 1109. At step 1109,
the details from coupon offers for the purchased products are
transmitted to the retailer. At step 1110, the retailer accepts the
details of the discount and adjusts prices or totals for the items
purchased. At step 1111, the customer is provided with a receipt
showing the discounts attributable to the electronic coupons.
[0134] FIG. 12 shows illustrative process 1200 for the settlement
of redeemed electronic coupons. At step 1201 redeemed coupon offers
stored on the electronic platform are ready for settlement. At step
1202, the redeemed offer data is transmitted to a clearinghouse. At
step 1203, the coupons are processed and the payment for retailers
is allocated. Retailers will be reimbursed for the face value of
the coupons. At step 1204, the offers are settled. At step 1205,
payment is transmitted from the electronic platform to the
retailers. At step 1206, payment is transmitted to partners
participating in providing the coupon offers. At step 1207,
redemption data is transmitted to offer analytics and stored on the
platform for use in directing future coupon offers to the
customer.
[0135] FIG. 13 shows illustrative kiosk 1300. Kiosk 1300 may be a
kiosk that performs tasks in connection with enrollment of
customers in an offer program, distribution of offer information to
customers and any other suitable tasks. Kiosk 1300 may placed in a
location that is convenient for customers to use before or during
shopping activities in connection with merchant M. Kiosk 1300 may
perform one or more of the tasks associated with step 806 (shown in
FIG. 800), one or more of the tasks associated with kiosk 1006
(shown in FIG. 10) or any other suitable tasks. In particular,
kiosk 1300 may be used to allow a customer to instantly enroll in
an offer program or to view, print or download customer benefit
information so that a customer can receive benefits, including
discounts, in connection with purchases from merchant M.
[0136] Kiosk 1300 may include one or more of the features of the
devices shown in FIG. 3. Kiosk 1300 may include touch screen
display 1302 for displaying instructions, offer information and any
other suitable information to customer C. Kiosk 1300 may include
printer 1312 for printing customer benefit, offer, and other
suitable information. Kiosk 1300 may include card reader 1304 for
reading a swipable purchasing instrument, such as a credit or debit
card. Kiosk 1300 may include near field communication module 1306
for communicating with an NFC-equipped purchasing instrument such
as a cellular telephone. Kiosk 1300 may include processor 1308 for
encoding data from the purchasing instrument. Kiosk 1300 may
include communications module 1310 for exchanging the encoded data
via an electronic communication network with an offer processor
such as 202 (shown in FIG. 2).
[0137] In some embodiments, some or all of the functions of kiosk
1300 may be present in a self-service device, such as an automatic
teller machine ("ATM"), a ticket- or token-vending machine or an
information dispensing machine (such as are found in public
transportation stations, such as train and bus stations and
airports).
[0138] FIG. 14 shows illustrative self-service device 1400, which
may be an ATM. Self-service device 1400 may include monitor 1402,
keypad 1404, card reader port 1406, document acceptor 1408, item
dispenser 1410 and security screen 1412.
[0139] Monitor 1402 may exchange visual and or audio information
with a customer. Keypad 1404 may include alphanumeric keys 1414 for
the customer to enter numerical and textual data. Keypad 1404 may
include control keys 1416. In some embodiments, control keys 1416
may be used to communicate control information, such as
instructions, to self-service device 1400. Keypad 1404 may include
soft keys. Soft keys 1418 may have functions that are dictated by
programming and are presented to the customer using information
that may be displayed on monitor 1402.
[0140] Card reader port 1406 may be the front end of any suitable
card reader. The card reader may read magnetically encoded
information on transaction instruments such as bank cards. In some
embodiments, self-service device 1400 may include a contactless
chip reader such as NFC module 1420, a wireless transceiver or any
other suitable interface for exchanging transaction information
with a transaction instrument. The transaction instrument may be a
chip, an RFID tag, a smart card, a PDA, a telephone or any other
suitable device.
[0141] In some embodiments, self-service device 1400 may include a
biometric sensor (not shown). The biometric sensor may identify a
customer based on a feature, such as an anatomical feature, of the
customer. For example, the biometric sensor may be configured to
identify the customer based on all or part of a face, a
fingerprint, an iris, a retina a hand or any other suitable
anatomical feature. The biometric sensor may identify the customer
based on a behavioral feature such as a signature, a voice, a gait
or any other suitable behavioral feature.
[0142] Document acceptor 1408 may accept any suitable documents.
For example, document acceptor 1408 may accept envelopes, deposit
forms, bills, checks or any other suitable documents. In some
embodiments, document acceptor 1408 may feed into a scanner that
digitizes the documents for image-based transaction processing.
[0143] Item dispenser 1410 may dispense items. For example, item
dispenser 1410 may dispense bills.
[0144] Security screen 1412 may visually screen a surveillance
device (not shown). The surveillance device may provide video
information about individuals that are present near the
self-service device and the conditions there.
[0145] FIG. 15 shows illustrative self-service device 1500.
Self-service device 1500 may have one or more of the features of
self-service device 200 (shown in FIG. 2). Self-service device 1500
may include housing 1502. Self-service device 1500 may include
vault 1504. Vault 1504 may contain items (not shown). Item handling
mechanism 1506 may be present in vault 1504. Item handling
mechanism 1506 may store, arrange, dispense and/or otherwise handle
items for dispensing from self-service device 1400. For example,
item handling mechanism 1506 may include conveyors (not shown) for
positioning and repositioning items for dispensing by dispenser
1508 through item port 1510. Items (not shown) in item handling
mechanism 1506 may be contained in item cartridges 1512. For
example, when the items are bills, item cartridges 1512 may be cash
cartridges.
[0146] Item handling mechanism 1506 may include item counter 1514.
Item counter 1514 may count items prior to dispensing by dispenser
1508.
[0147] Self-service device 1500 may include LCD display 1516 and a
keypad (not shown) for customer interaction. Card reader 1518 may
be present for receiving transaction information from the customer
via a suitable transaction instrument. Self-service device 1500 may
include receipt printer and dispenser module 1520. Receipt printer
and dispenser module 1520 may provide the customer with a record of
a transaction. CPU 1520 may control customer I/O, dispensing
processes, which may include initialization, actuation, dispensing
and any other suitable processes, receipt printing and dispensing,
transaction channel communications and any other suitable
processes. The transaction channel communications may be performed
using modem 1524, which may be any suitable communication device.
Modem 1524 may communicate with a local or regional network router
(not shown). Service monitor 1526 may be provided for a service
technician to exchange information and instructions with CPU
1522.
[0148] FIG. 16 shows control system 1600 for controlling a
self-service device such as 1500 (shown in FIG. 15). System 1600 is
controlled by CPU 1602. CPU 1602 exchanges transaction information
with electronic communication network N via modem 1604, which is in
communication with router R. CPU 1602 may receive transaction
information from a customer via monitor 1606, keypad 1608, card
reader 1610, NFC module 1616, storage 1618 and deposit acceptor
1612. CPU 1602 may dispense bills through bill dispenser 1614.
Offer information may be provided to customer C via monitor 1606
and/or printer 1620. Design and layout information may be stored in
storage 1618. The design and layout information may be provided to
printer 1620 to provide printed media with graphic illustrations.
For example, when the offer information includes a coupon, the
coupon may be provided with graphic illustrations and/or
patterns.
[0149] CPU 1602 may be configured to use monitor 1606 to prompt
customer C to inquire about offer information that is related to
merchant M's goods. For example, merchant M may be set as a default
merchant in memory 1618 when ATM 1400 is located at, near or in
association with merchant M's facility. In some embodiments, CPU
1602 may prompt customer C to select a merchant about whose offers
customer C desires to inquire. CPU 1602 may receive customer
information from a mobile wallet or card via card reader 410 or NFC
module 416. CPU 1602 may encode or hash some or all of the customer
information. CPU 1602 may provide the coded customer information to
offer processor 1622. Offer processor 1622 may have some or all of
the features of offer processor 202 (shown in FIG. 2). Offer
processor 1602 may return customer benefit, offer and other
suitable information to CPU 1602. The customer benefit, offer and
other suitable information may be displayed by monitor 1606 and/or
printed on printer 1620.
[0150] FIGS. 17-25 show illustrative views for display to customer
C at a kiosk such as 1300 (shown in FIG. 13). Some
customer-interactive aspects of views 17-25 involve the use of
swipable cards. It will be understood that swipable cards are
discussed as an example of a purchasing instrument and that any
suitable purchasing instrument may be used.
[0151] FIGS. 17-20 may be displayed on the kiosk to offer customer
C an opportunity to view offers to which customer C may be entitled
and to enroll in an offer program (identified as an "e-discount"
program in view 1700).
[0152] FIG. 17 shows illustrative view 1700. View 1700 may include
text 1702 that invites customer C to have customer C's card read.
The kiosk may then identify offers available to C by communicating
with an offer processor such as 202 (shown in FIG. 2). The kiosk
may display textual, graphical or audio representations (not shown)
of the offers. The kiosk may provide customer C with an opportunity
to request a print-out of the offers. In some embodiments, the
kiosk may print out the offers in response to a card swipe or the
detection of a purchasing instrument NFC signal.
[0153] View 1700 may include touch-screen control 1704 that invites
customer C to enroll in an offer program such as that shown in and
described in connection with FIG. 8.
[0154] FIG. 18 shows illustrative view 1800. The kiosk may display
view 1800 in response to a card swipe by customer C. View 1800
shows customer benefit information 1802, which may be associated
with customer C. Customer benefit information 1802 may include for
each customer benefit 1804 quantity 1806, item identifier 1808,
regular price 1810, discounted price 1812 and location in store
("AISLE") 1814. Any other suitable information may be included.
[0155] FIG. 19 shows illustrative view 1900. The kiosk may display
view 1900 in response to customer C's activation of control 1704
(shown in FIG. 17). Text 1902 may instruct customer C to swipe a
card to initiate an enrollment process such as that including
illustrative steps 807-809 (shown in FIG. 8).
[0156] FIG. 20 shows illustrative view 2000. The kiosk may display
view 2000 in connection with a step such as 808 (shown in FIG. 8)
in which an offer communication method is selected. View 2000 may
include instruction 2002 that requests that customer C select an
offer communication method. View 2000 may include controls 2004,
2006, 2008 and 2010, which correspond to selections of
communication by cell phone, e-mail, web and regular mail,
respectively.
[0157] FIGS. 21-25 show illustrative views that may be displayed by
a POS terminal such as 408 (shown in FIG. 4), which may be
associated with a merchant such as M (shown in FIG. 2).
[0158] FIG. 21 shows illustrative view 2100. View 2100 may be
displayed by the POS terminal to offer customer C supplemental
goods that customer C may pay for as part of the transaction with
merchant M. The supplemental goods may be offered or sold by
merchant M or a third party. The third party may be an offer source
such as one of offer sources 204. The offer source may provide to
the offer agent promotional information that is to be displayed or
performed on or by a POS terminal at merchant M's facility. The
promotional information may include text, images, audio, video and
any other suitable type of information.
[0159] The third party may arrange with an offer agent such as 201
(shown in FIG. 2) to purchase promotional opportunities on merchant
M's POS terminals to promote and sell a product. Merchant M
collects payment for the product and is reimbursed by the third
party. Merchant M may "invoice" the third party through agent 201
(shown in FIG. 2).
[0160] View 2100 may include item identifier 2102, item regular
price 2104, item discounted price 2106, control 2108 and map 2110.
Customer C may activate control 2108 to accept the offer of
supplemental goods. If customer C accepts the offer of supplemental
goods, the POS terminal may add the price of the supplemental goods
to customer C's payable amount. The POS terminal may provide a
printed voucher for the supplemental goods. In some embodiments,
the POS terminal may instruct the offer agent to instruct the third
party to prepare the supplemental goods for pick-up at a designated
time. The POS terminal may print a copy of map 2110.
[0161] FIGS. 22-25 show illustrative views that may be displayed by
a POS terminal such as 408 (shown in FIG. 4), which may be
associated with a merchant such as M (shown in FIG. 2). The views
relate to an offer of instant credit to pay merchant M for the
purchase of goods by customer C. The credit may be provided by
merchant M or a third party. The third party may be a bank, a
financial institution or any other suitable third party. The third
party may be an offer source such as one of offer sources 204. The
third party may arrange with an offer agent such as 201 (shown in
FIG. 2) to purchase opportunities on merchant M's POS terminals to
offer its credit. Merchant M receives payment for the product from
the third party.
[0162] FIG. 22 shows illustrative view 2200. View 2200 may include
instruction 2202, which may instruct customer C to swipe a card.
The POS terminal may receive information identifying the customer
from the card.
[0163] FIG. 23 shows illustrative view 2300. View 2300 may include
"Pay Now" control 2302. View 2300 may include "Pay Later" control
2304. If customer C activates "Pay Now" control 2302, the POS
terminal may initiate a normal purchase transaction.
[0164] If customer C activates "Pay Later" control 2304, the POS
terminal may initiate an instant credit application. In an
illustrative instant credit application process, the POS terminal
may provide the identification information (in hashed form, e.g.),
along with transaction information such as a purchase amount, to
the offer agent, which may route the identification to the third
party or an agent, such as an authorization/clearance agent (like
that shown in FIG. 1) for credit and risk decisioning. In
embodiments in which the POS terminal is based on internet
protocols, the identification information may be routed directly to
the third party or the agent.
[0165] FIG. 24 shows illustrative view 2400. View 2400 may include
application decision information 2402. In this view, application
decision information 2402 informs customer C that customer C's
credit application was approved. View 2400 may include credit
information 2404. Credit information 2404 may include lending
institution information 2408 and credit terms information 2410.
Credit terms information 2410 may include a due date, an interest
rate and other suitable information. The POS terminal may provide
customer C with other views (not shown) that include legal terms of
the credit and interactive controls for customer C to accept or
reject the terms.
[0166] FIG. 25 shows illustrative view 2500. View 2500 may include
application decision information 2502. In this view, application
decision information 2502 informs customer C that customer C's
credit application was denied. The POS terminal then may initiate a
normal purchase transaction.
[0167] FIG. 26 shows illustrative record 2600. Record 2600 may be a
printed document, such as a transaction receipt, an electronic
message (which may be in any suitable format such as HTML, SMS
text, image or any other suitable format) or any other suitable
type of document. Record 2600 may be printed out by the POS
terminal or an associated printer. Record 2600 may be transmitted
to customer C by email, near field communication, cell phone or any
other suitable method.
[0168] View 2600 may include itemized purchase information 2607.
Itemized purchase information 2607 may list items that are the
subject of a transaction between merchant M and customer C.
Itemized purchase information 2607 may include merchant
identification information 2602, transaction identification
information 2604, date information 2606, item index information
2608, stock identification information 2610, quantity information
2612, amount information 2614 and other suitable itemized purchase
information.
[0169] View 2600 may include itemized discount information 2616.
Itemized discount information may list items for which customer C
received a discount. The discount may be based on apparatus and
methods shown and described herein. View 2616 may include item
index information 2618, stock identification information 2620,
discount information 2622, amount paid information 2624 and other
suitable itemized purchase information. Discount information 2622
may include discounts represented as a percentage and as an
amount.
[0170] Thus, apparatus and methods for electronically distributing
customer benefit offers are provided. Persons skilled in the art
will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by
other than the described embodiments, which are presented for
purposes of illustration rather than of limitation, and that the
present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.
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